Covering a TV behind your speakers?

@devilboy

I tried both between my speakers, so it was essentially picking the one which sounded best. To me.


Absorption was kinda like a magnet in between my speaker and seemed to flatten and kind of soften the imaging and soundstage. Diffusion did the opposite, providing for a wider and deeper stage. I have both absorption and diffusion behind each speaker as well (the rear and rear sides).


Best thing to do is experiment. If you can.

@bkeske  May I ask what you are using for diffusion?

@devilboy 

As I was trying to figure out how much this (acoustic treatmernts) would work, I purchased some acoustic absorption panels, and for diffusion, finally chose some architectural 3D/sculpted polymer type 'tiles'. A box of them, approx 18"x18" cost me about $70 for ten (? cannot remember exactly). The are primarily for a 3D architectural surface 'decoration' on walls, etc., and can be painted, which I did for my fireplace opening between the speakers to blend-in the brick surround at the opening. The ones on the walls I just kept unpainted, or white. But, while studying my options, I saw others had used them for audio diffusion purposes as well, so took a shot.

They do work, as there is a difference with and without. As it is also my living room, they are also fairly non-offensive in looks. Are they as good as true purpose built audio diffusion panels? Probably not, no, but they do help and do work. I may consider replacing them with a true audio product in the future, but right now I'm pleased with the results.

@bkeske thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

I sometimes watch movies through my 2 channel system (no HT) so the TV is mounted on the wall between the speaker that are pulled out into the room several feet. I just started looking into this while planning some room treatments. I wasn’t sure how much it would matter so u was going to leave it to the last phase of treatments and maybe experiment. It just so happens that my TV developed a picture issue and needs to be replaced. After I pulled it off the wall I noticed an increase in soundstage depth. I suspect a sliding cover or curtains or removable panels or something would be an improvement in theory but cumbersome in practice.

I have a mic coming soon to take some baseline room measurements as the project goes forward. It’ll be interesting to see if mounting the new TV will show up on the measurements as well as my ears. I might just treat around it. I was on the fence about treatments before. Intellectually I knew an untreated room would make it more difficult to get my system to live up to its potential, but it’s still hard to pay $$$$ for a bunch of fabric and foam wall art. A little change in soundstage I wasn’t even looking for makes it easier to believe.